U.S. patent application number 12/833619 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-13 for method and apparatus for generating vibrations in portable terminals.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yu-Dong BAE, In Kim, Po-Ra Kim, Eun-Hwa Lee, In-Kuk Yun.
Application Number | 20110006888 12/833619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42668360 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110006888 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAE; Yu-Dong ; et
al. |
January 13, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING VIBRATIONS IN PORTABLE
TERMINALS
Abstract
A method and apparatus for generating vibration in a portable
terminal are provided. The apparatus for generating vibration in a
portable terminal includes a plurality of vibrators mounted and
driven to generate vibration in a single vibration direction at
positions separated from each other by predetermined distances on
the portable terminal, and a controller for determining respective
vibration patterns of the plurality of vibrators according to a
control operation of the portable terminal and driving the
plurality of vibrators according to the vibration patterns.
Inventors: |
BAE; Yu-Dong; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Lee; Eun-Hwa; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Yun;
In-Kuk; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Kim; In; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Kim; Po-Ra; (Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE FARRELL LAW FIRM, LLP
290 Broadhollow Road, Suite 210E
Melville
NY
11747
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42668360 |
Appl. No.: |
12/833619 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/407.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/016 20130101;
H04M 1/026 20130101; H04M 19/047 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101;
A63F 2300/302 20130101; A63F 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/407.1 |
International
Class: |
H04B 3/36 20060101
H04B003/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 10, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0063221 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for generating vibration in a portable terminal,
comprising: a plurality of vibrators mounted and driven to generate
vibration in a single vibration direction at positions separated
from each other by predetermined distances on the portable
terminal; and a controller for determining respective vibration
patterns of the plurality of vibrators according to a control
operation of the portable terminal and driving the plurality of
vibrators according to the vibration patterns.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the single vibration direction
is an up and down direction based on the front of the portable
terminal.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vibrators are
mounted at both left and right ends based on the front of the
portable terminal.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the single vibration direction
is a left and right direction based on the front of the portable
terminal.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of vibrators are
mounted at both upper and lower ends based on the front of the
portable terminal.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the single vibration direction
is a direction corresponding to a shorter length of a length of an
up and down direction and a length of a left and right direction,
based on the front of the portable terminal.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller achieves a
sense of motion by controlling a driving start time, vibration
strength, and driving maintenance time of each of the plurality of
vibrators according to the vibration patterns.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibrators are linear
motors.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the linear motors have
different resonant frequencies.
10. A method for generating vibration in a portable terminal,
comprising: determining respective vibration patterns of a
plurality of vibrators according to a control operation of the
portable terminal by a controller; and driving the plurality of
vibrators according to the vibration patterns; wherein the
plurality of vibrators are mounted and driven to generate vibration
in a single vibration direction at positions separated from each
other by predetermined distances on the portable terminal.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the single vibration direction
is an up and down direction based on the front of the portable
terminal.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of vibrators are
mounted at both left and right ends based on the front of the
portable terminal.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the single vibration direction
is a left and right direction based on the front of the portable
terminal.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of vibrators are
mounted at both upper and lower ends based on the front of the
portable terminal.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the single vibration direction
is a direction corresponding to a shorter length of a length of an
up and down direction and a length of a left and right direction,
based on the front of the portable terminal.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the controller achieves a sense
of motion by controlling a driving start time, vibration strength,
and driving maintenance time of each of the plurality of vibrator
according to the vibration patterns.
17. The method of claim 10, wherein the vibrators are linear
motors.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the linear motors have
different resonant frequencies.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 10, 2009 and assigned Serial
No. 10-2009-0063221, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to controlling of
vibrations generated in a portable terminal, and more particularly,
to a method and apparatus for generating vibrations to cause a user
to feel a sense of direction on a portable terminal.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Portable terminals include, for example, mobile
communication terminals such as cellular phones, Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs), portable Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB)
terminals, MP3 (MPEG layer-3) players, Portable Multimedia Players
(PMPs), and portable game players such as PlayStation Portable
(PSP) systems. Initially, portable terminals provided unique
functions in the early stages of development, but gradually they
have been developed to provide multiple functions. Namely, a single
portable terminal may offer a mobile communication function, game
functions, a multimedia play functions, and the like.
[0006] Typically, portable terminal is equipped with a vibrator
which provides vibration for transmitting information to a user
according to an operation control of the terminal. For example,
vibration may be used to inform a user of an incoming call or
message or may be used to inform a user of a specific event
regarding games being played on the terminal. When using the
portable terminal in public places, vibration may be frequently
used instead of sounds as a means for preventing interruptions due
to the occurrence of noise.
[0007] The use of vibration instead of specific sound effects is
effective in that the occurrence of noise is prevented and, on the
other hand, during the playing of games the player experiences a
sense of reality because the player can directly feel the physical
vibration. Accordingly, not only a portable terminal but also a
game pad or a game controller can be equipped with the vibrator so
as to generate proper vibration according while the games are in
progress.
[0008] A game pad or game controller tends to basically provide
haptic feedback in order to increase the player's sense of reality.
In this case, a method for controlling vibration so that a user can
feel a sense of direction in addition to simple vibration has been
proposed.
[0009] Generally, two or more vibrators are used to achieve a sense
of direction and motion of vibration. Especially, since an existing
game pad or game controller is used by a user by holding it in both
hands, vibrators are arranged at positions separated by a
sufficient distance irrespective of their types and the driving
time and strength of the vibration are controlled, thereby
achieving the sense of direction and motion.
[0010] For example, when Eccentric Rotary Motors (ERMs) are used as
vibrators, several methods have been proposed, including a method
for achieving various two-dimensional directions by varying phases
of two motors while the motors rotate, a method for generating a
sense of direction by varying duty cycles of the two motors and
driving the motors using different strengths, and a method for
achieving a sense of two-dimensional direction by controlling the
strength of vibration of an x-axis vibrator and a y-axis
vibrator.
[0011] Attempts have made to apply the above-described vibration
generation methods to a portable terminal. This is because, as the
portable terminal has included multimedia functions and personal
computer functions, haptic feedback is applied to structures such
as a touch screen to achieve a sense of click, and various methods
have attempted to increase the sense of reality and pleasure in
games and services.
[0012] However, since portable terminals are generally small sized
and are hand-held, and since there is an increasing demand for a
relatively large screen size in a simple and slim design, the
portable terminal generally has a size smaller than the game pad or
game controller. Thus, it is difficult to mount two vibrators in a
portable terminal because it is generally not possible to ensure a
sufficient distance between the two vibrators so as to generate a
sense of direction and motion of vibration.
[0013] Moreover, portable terminals usually are constructed to act
like one rigid body because the outer case is made of rigid plastic
or metal material and the interior has a compact structure without
gaps due to the slim design. Hence, a vibrator vibrates the entire
portable terminal and thus it is difficult for a user to feel a
sense of direction of vibration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An aspect of the present invention is to address at least
the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at
least the advantages described below.
[0015] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a
vibration generation method and apparatus which can provide a user
with the feel of a sense of direction and motion in a portable
terminal, while maintaining a small size of the portable
terminal.
[0016] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for generating vibration in a portable terminal includes
a plurality of vibrators mounted and driven to generate vibration
in a single vibration direction at positions separated from each
other at predetermined distances on the portable terminal, and a
controller for determining respective vibration patterns of the
plurality of vibrators according to a control operation of the
portable terminal and for driving the plurality of vibrators
according to the vibration patterns.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of
embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a conventional portable
terminal;
[0019] FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating the distribution of
vibration force of the conventional portable terminal;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating vibration forces at various
positions of the conventional portable terminal;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a mobile communication
terminal including a plurality of vibrators according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 4B and 4C are diagrams illustrating the distribution
of vibration forces of a mobile communication terminal according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a mobile communication
terminal including a plurality of vibrators according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIGS. 5B and 5C are diagrams illustrating the distribution
of vibration forces of a mobile communication terminal according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating actual measurement
data of the distribution of vibration forces when a plurality of
vibrators are mounted in a mobile communication terminal to achieve
a sense of an up and down direction;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of a mobile
communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a mobile communication
terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0029] FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating vibration moving
directions and vibration patterns according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0030] Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals
will be understood to refer to the same elements, features and
structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The following detailed description includes specific details in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without such specific
details.
[0032] Conventionally, methods for achieving a sense of direction
of vibration using two or more motors in a device such as a game
controller have been proposed. However, such methods have many
problems upon application to a portable terminal. A sense of
direction of vibration refers to what the user feels when vibration
is locally generated, as relatively strong vibrations occur at a
specific position of a terminal when a user holds the terminal. For
example, while a user holds a game controller in both hands, if the
vibration is strongly generated at any point to the right side of
the game controller, the user will feel vibration only in the right
hand.
[0033] Since a user often uses a small-sized device such as a
portable terminal, mainly with one hand and the terminal is
activated like one rigid body, if vibrators are arranged in the
interior of the terminal, vibration is generated through the entire
terminal instead of being locally generated. Accordingly, the user
cannot clearly feel a sense of direction. This is because a
plurality of vibrators are simply arranged without considering
their vibration characteristics.
[0034] In a portable terminal, due to a demand for a slim design
and a large screen, a vibrator is mostly located at the upper or
lower end of a display screen. Since a speaker and a receiver of
the portable terminal are mounted at the middle of the upper or
lower end in order to transmit high-quality sound, the vibrator is
actually arranged at one corner of the upper or lower end of the
terminal.
[0035] As a result of actual measurement of a vibration force by
simulation under such a condition, the distribution of the
vibration force shows a symmetric shape in a diagonal direction as
illustrated in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portable
terminal 10 when a vibrator 20 is mounted at an upper left side of
the portable terminal 10 of a rectangular parallelepiped. FIG. 1B
illustrates the distribution of a vibration force of the portable
terminal of FIG. 1A. In this case, the vibrator 20 vibrates in a
z-axis direction.
[0036] FIG. 1B shows a vibration displacement generated from the
portable terminal 10 when a force of 1N at a frequency of 175 Hz is
generated from the vibrator 20 in a state that the vibrator 20 is
arranged at an upper left side of the portable terminal 10 as shown
in FIG. 1A. The vibration displacement is proportional to a
vibration force. Although the vibration displacement varies
according to the weight, size, material, vibration frequency and
generated force of a rigid body (that is, the portable terminal
10), the distribution of the displacement is nearly the same as
FIG. 1B. In FIG. 1B, the vibration displacement section {circle
around (1)} illustrates a small displacement and the vibration
displacement section {circle around (9)} illustrates a large
displacement. That is, it illustrates that a displacement become
large toward a vibration displacement section {circle around (9)}.
It can be appreciated in FIG. 1B that the vibration force is
distributed in a diagonal direction based on the front of the
portable terminal. Thus, it is difficult for a user to discern the
direction of vibration, that is, from which part of upper, lower
left and right sides of the portable terminal vibration is
generated.
[0037] This is because the interior of the portable terminal has a
compact structure for multiple functions and an outer case thereof
is made of plastic having high rigidity or a metal material, and
propagation of vibration is very fast at a speed of a few km/s.
Thus, vibration is not localized.
[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates measured vibration forces at various
positions while vibration is generated when a linear vibrator is
used as the vibrator 20 in the portable terminal 10 of FIG. 1A.
Measurement positions UL, UR, DL and DR denote positions of upper
and lower ends of a front surface 30 and measurement positions R1,
R2, R3, L1, L2 and L3 denote positions of left and right sides of
the front surface 30. Vibration waveforms corresponding to the
respective measurement positions denote vibration forces of x-axis,
y-axis and z-axis directions sequentially from the top. The
vibration direction of the vibrator 20 is a z-axis direction, that
is, a vertical direction based on a display screen of the portable
terminal 10.
[0039] Generally, when a user holds the portable terminal 10, a
user's palm does not contact to the bottom surface of the portable
terminal 10 and the user's fingers closely contact the side
surfaces of the portable terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, since the
distribution of vibration forces has a tendency to vary in a
diagonal direction as shown in FIG. 1B, the portable terminal 10
vibrates strongly at the opposite side of the diagonal direction
and vibrates weakly around the center of the diagonal direction.
Accordingly, the user cannot clearly discern a location where
vibration is generated.
[0040] The present invention is provided to solve such prior art
problems and provides a sense of direction and motion by
controlling the driving time and strength of a plurality of
vibrators. To this end, the plurality of vibrators are arranged in
the interior of a portable terminal such that the distribution of
vibration forces is strong in one direction and weak in other
directions. The sense of motion refers to what is felt by the user
as if the vibration moves successively from a specific part to
other parts of the portable terminal, instead of being fixedly
generated at a specific part of the portable terminal.
[0041] An example of a portable terminal to which the present
invention is applied is shown in FIG. 3. The portable terminal
refers to a small-sized terminal device that can be carried with
holding it in one hand and can perform input manipulation while the
user is moving. For example, the portable terminal includes a
mobile communication terminal such as a cellular phone, a PDA, a
portable DMB terminal, an MP3 player, a PMP, and a portable game
player such as a PSP system.
[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a mobile communication
terminal and includes motors as vibrators. Although FIG. 3
illustrates the mobile communication terminal, the configuration of
the present invention may be applied to other types of portable
terminals.
[0043] A mobile communication terminal 100 includes a memory 110, a
controller 120, a mobile communication part 130, a plurality of
motors 140 and 150, and a display 160.
[0044] The controller 120 controls the entire operation of the
mobile communication terminal 100.
[0045] The display 160 displays video information, and data and
images received from a mobile communication base station or stored
in the memory 110 on a screen under the control of the controller
120.
[0046] The mobile communication part 130 processes operations and
signals necessary for mobile communication under the control of the
controller 120. The mobile communication part 130 transmits and
receives wireless signals to and from the base station through an
antenna. The mobile communication part 130 modulates transmission
signals input from the controller 120 through a baseband processor
and transmits the modulated wireless signals through the antenna.
The mobile communication part 130 demodulates the wireless signals
received through the antenna and transmits the demodulated signals
to the controller 120 through the baseband processor. The baseband
processor processes baseband signals transmitted and received by
the controller 120.
[0047] The first and second motors 140 and 150 are linear motors.
Since the linear motors generate vibration in the direction of one
axis, their vibration characteristic is simple. Due to such a
characteristic of a linear motor, if linear motors are mounted to
be parallel to a vertical direction based on the front surface of
the portable terminal, that is, a z-axis direction, vibration
forces are distributed in a diagonal direction as shown in FIG.
1B.
[0048] Accordingly, in the present invention, a plurality of
vibrators are mounted at positions separated from each other by a
predetermined distance such that vibrations generated by the
plurality of vibrators in the terminal can be the same in any one
direction of a left and right direction or an up and down direction
based on the front of the portable terminal; that is, in an x-axis
direction or a y-axis direction. For example, the first and second
motors 140 and 150 may be mounted in the mobile communication
terminal 100 such that their vibration directions are the same in
the left and right direction, that is, in the x-axis direction
shown in FIG. 2.
[0049] This example is shown in FIG. 4A, illustrating the case
where the first and second motors 140 and 150 are mounted such that
vibration is generated in a left and right direction based on a
front surface 170 of a mobile communication terminal 100, that is,
in an x-axis direction according to an embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 4A, the first and second motors 140 and 150 are
diagonally located at parallel surfaces of the mobile communication
terminal 100. Therefore, the first and second motors 140 and 150
are separated from each other by a predetermined distance and their
vibration directions are the same as the x-axis direction.
[0050] FIGS. 4B and 4C are diagrams illustrating the distribution
of vibration displacements by the motors 140 and 150 when the
motors 140 and 150 are mounted as shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B shows a
vibration displacement when only the first motor 140 is in the on
state and FIG. 4C shows a vibration displacement when only the
second motor 150 is in the on state. In FIGS. 4B and 4C, the
vibration displacement section {circle around (9)} represents a
region having a large displacement and the vibration displacement
section {circle around (1)} represents a region having a small
displacement.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, it can be appreciated that any
one direction of the upper and lower ends of the front surface 170
has strong vibration and the opposite direction has weak vibration.
Thus a vibration force is uniformly distributed in an up and down
direction.
[0052] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the case where the first
and second motors 140 and 150 are mounted such that vibration is
generated in an up and down direction based on the front surface
170 of the mobile communication terminal 100, that is, in a y-axis
direction according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 5A, the first and second motors 140 and 150 are located on
the same surface of the mobile communication terminal 100 but they
are separated from each other by a predetermined distance. The
vibration directions of the first and second motors 140 and 150 are
the same as the y-axis direction.
[0053] FIGS. 5B and 5C are diagrams illustrating the distribution
of vibration displacements by the motors 140 and 150 when the
motors 140 and 150 are mounted as shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5B shows a
vibration displacement when only the first motor 140 is driven and
FIG. 5C shows a vibration displacement when only the second motor
150 is driven. In FIGS. 5B and 5C, the vibration displacement
section {circle around (9)} represents a region having a large
displacement and the vibration displacement section {circle around
(1)} represents a region having a small displacement.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 5B and 5C, it can be appreciated that any
one direction of the left and right sides of the front surface 170
has strong vibration and the opposite direction has weak vibration.
Thus a vibration force is uniformly distributed in a left and right
direction.
[0055] In other words, if the linear motors 140 and 150 are mounted
such that vibration is generated in a vertical direction of the
front surface 170, that is, in a z-axis direction as in the
conventional method, the distribution of a vibration force becomes
weak in a diagonal direction based on the front surface 170 and
becomes strong in an opposite direction and a user cannot feel a
sense of direction. However, if the linear motors 140 and 150 are
mounted such that vibration is generated in a horizontal direction
with respect to the front surface 170, the distribution of
vibration is strong in one direction and is weak in the other
direction and a sense of a left and right direction or an up and
down direction can be obtained.
[0056] Such methods may be applied to not only linear motors but
also all vibrators which are capable of generating vibration in a
single direction. Namely, if vibrators are configured such that
vibration is generated in a horizontal direction with respect to
the front surface 170, the vibrators may be operated identically to
the above-described example.
[0057] It can be appreciated by a simulation result that if a rigid
body having a relatively small width as compared to a length
vibrates, the greatest vibration force is generated when vibration
is generated in a short-axis direction (in a horizontal direction
with respect to the width). Accordingly, if vibration is generated
in a short-axis direction, a sense of direction can be achieved
with low power consumption.
[0058] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating actual measurement
data of the distribution of vibration forces when the first and
second motors 140 and 150 are mounted to achieve a sense of an up
and down direction. In the mobile communication terminal 100 shown
in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first and second motors 140 and 150 are
mounted at an upper right side and a lower right side,
respectively, based on the front surface 170 and vibration is
generated in a left and right direction based on the front surface
170, that is, in an x-axis direction.
[0059] FIG. 6A illustrates actual measurement data (voltage: 6 Vpp,
unit: m/s.sup.2) of the distribution of vibration forces when only
the first motor 140 is driven at a frequency of 175 Hz and a
3-cycle input. FIG. 6B illustrates actual measurement data of the
distribution of vibration forces when only the second motor 150 is
driven at a frequency of 320 Hz and a 5-cycle input.
[0060] Respective numerals in FIGS. 6A and 6B denote total
accelerations at respective positions of the mobile communication
terminal 100 corresponding to the positions UL, UR, L1, L2, L3, R1,
R2, R3, DL and DR of the portable terminal 10 of FIG. 2. A total
acceleration is calculated by a root of a sum of square of
acceleration values of three axes. Three waveform patterns
corresponding to each of the total accelerations sequentially
represent vibration patterns of a y-axis, a z-axis and an x-axis
while a sine wave is actually driven. The total acceleration is
proportional to a vibration force. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, as
vibration is generated in a left and right direction, that is, in
an x-axis direction, a difference between vibration forces at the
upper end and the lower end is uniformly maintained at about 3 dB
and a user can recognize that there is vibration at the upper end.
If vibrators are arranged at the upper and lower ends and driven, a
sense of direction or motion can be achieved.
[0061] If the vibrators are arranged in this way, vibration is
strong in one direction and is weak in the other direction, so that
a user can feel a sense of a left and right direction or an up and
down direction upon the occurrence of vibration. In other words, in
the present invention, it is possible to represent at which side of
the upper, lower, left and right sides vibration is generated. If a
plurality of vibrators are driven at different time points with a
time difference, even a sense of a left and right motion or an up
and down motion can be achieved. If the strength and driving time
of the respective vibrators are controlled, various senses of
motions such as successively or stepwisely moving feelings can be
achieved.
[0062] To achieve a sense of motion, the controller 120 determines
the moving direction and strength of vibration according to the
control of the terminal in step 201 in FIG. 7. The controller 120
determines vibration patterns of the respective motors according to
the moving direction and strength of vibration in step 203. The
controller 120 drives the motors 140 and 150 according to the
determined vibration patterns.
[0063] Examples of the achievement of a sense of motion are shown
in FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 8A shows another example when the first
and second motors 140 and 150 are mounted such that a sense of an
up and down direction can be achieved. The first and second motors
140 and 150 are mounted at an upper right side and a lower right
side based on the front surface 170 of the mobile communication
terminal 100, and vibration is generated in a left and right
direction based on the front surface 170, that is, in an x-axis
direction.
[0064] In the mobile communication terminal 100 configured as
described above, if the controller 120 drives the first and second
motors 140 and 150 according to vibration patterns 315, 325, 335,
345 and 355 shown in FIG. 8B, a sense of motion due to vibration is
achieved in the mobile communication terminal 100 in moving
directions 310, 320, 330, 340 and 350 corresponding to the
respective vibration patterns 315, 325, 335, 345 and 355.
[0065] The controller 120 first drives the first motor 140
according to the first vibration pattern 315 and controls the
strength of vibration so that the strength becomes gradually weak.
The controller 120 drives the second motor 150 at a time point when
the strength of vibration becomes weak and controls the strength of
vibration of the second motor 150 such that the strength becomes
gradually strong. The strong vibration is first generated at the
upper end of the mobile communication terminal 100 and the strong
vibration is successively generated at the lower end of the mobile
communication terminal 100 in the first moving direction 310.
Therefore, a sense of motion can be achieved as if the vibration
moves from the upper end to the lower end.
[0066] Next, if the controller 120 successively drives the first
and second motors 140 and 150 by the opposite method to the above
example, that is, if the controller 120 drives the motors 140 and
150 according to the third vibration pattern 335, a sense of motion
can be achieved as if the vibration moves from the upper end to the
lower end and again from the lower end to the upper end like the
third moving direction 330. Namely, since positions where vibration
is generated become the upper end, lower end and upper end
sequentially according to time, a user feels as if the vibration
moves from the upper end to the lower end and again from the lower
end to the upper end. In this case, the strength of vibration of
one motor is gradually decreased and the strength of vibration of
the other motor is gradually increased.
[0067] As another example, the controller 120 first drives the
second motor 150 according to the second vibration pattern 325 and
occasionally stops the driving of the second motor 150 while
controlling the strength of vibration of the second motor 150 such
that the strength becomes gradually weak. If the controller 120
controls the strength of vibration of the first motor 140 such that
the strength becomes gradually strong by driving the first motor
140 at a time point when the strength of vibration of the second
motor 150 becomes weak and occasionally stops the driving of the
first motor 140, a sense of motion can be achieved as if strong
vibration is first generated at the lower end of the mobile
communication terminal 100 and thereafter the vibration moves
stepwisely, like the second moving direction 320.
[0068] Next, if the controller 120 successively drives the first
and second motors 140 and 150 by the opposite method to the above
example, that is, if the controller 120 drives the motors 140 and
150 according to the fourth vibration pattern 345, a sense of
motion can be achieved as if the vibration moves stepwisely from
the lower end to the upper end and again from the upper end to the
lower end, like the fourth moving direction 340.
[0069] If the controller 120 alternately drives the first and
second motors 140 and 150 according to the fifth vibration pattern
355, a sense of direction can be achieved as if the vibration is
alternately generated at the upper end and lower end of the mobile
communication terminal 100, like the fifth moving direction
350.
[0070] According to the present invention, a user can feel a sense
of direction and motion of vibration by appropriately arranging two
vibrators and controlling the occurrence of vibration.
[0071] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, various
modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed
in the accompanying claims. For example, the above embodiments may
be similarly applied to other types of portable terminals in
addition to the mobile communication terminal 100. A piezo-motor or
an electroactive motor may be used instead of the linear motor as
the vibrator. The frequencies of the plurality of motors may be the
same or different and resonant frequencies of the plurality of
vibrators may be different. Linear vibrators driven at a relatively
high frequency (250 to 500 Hz) may be used to cause a user to
recognize hard, rough and rhythmical feelings.
[0072] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not
be limited to the description of the above embodiment, but defined
by the accompanying claims and equivalents thereof.
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